Everything stills. “Elias, the only reason why you’re here is because your grandson wanted to see you and you promised to behave. This is a family holiday, and you have nothing but berated me, ignoring the rest of us. So please, for Finn’s sake, just stop,” she’s almost at the point of tears.
Don’t waste your tears on him.“I’m sorry,chere.” Lilly apologizes.
Elias turns to me, “I’m sorry. I just expected better.” I’m ready to pounce.
Then a small, but mighty voice speaks up. “Grandpa, I think you need to leave.”
Elias slams a fork down, “Pardon.”
Finn scoots his chair back, walking towards Charlotte as she extends her arm to grasp him, pulling him in closer. “I gave you a chance, but you screwed it up. I don’t like the way you’re talking to her as if she did wrong. So please leave.”
Elias explodes, pushing back from the table, shaking all the glasses and dishes. Brayden stands up as well as me. “You’ve turned him against me.”
“No, I just raised him to use his voice and make his own choices. Something that I should have done a long time ago,” Charlotte spits out.
“I’ll take you to court, living in a carefree household, filling his head with fantasy, turning him against own family. You’re neglecting the boy.” Elias shouts, trying to get closer to her with fury in his hands.
Brayden and I stopped him, halting him before he could do anything. He huffs out a breath, “I suggest you remove your hands off of me,” he threatens.
“And I suggest that you leave as your grandson has politely told you.” I snarl out.
“Lay a finger on me, son, and you’ll regret it,” he inches closer like he wants to fight. I’ll give him one, no one is going to threaten this family or any of their loved ones.
I push Brayden’s hand and I clutch Elias’s suit in my hands, throwing an advantage my way. I start to back him up through the dining room, and towards the door. “For them, I’ll gladly remove a threat. You’re not worthy of their love, trust, or good grace,” I shove him towards the door. “You can threaten me all you want, you bastard. But hurt them anymore and I’ll make sure there’s a grave with your name on it. No one will miss you and your pathetic ass. No one will visit. You’ll die alone and miserable knowing that if you had the decency of being a man, someone would care about you.”
His eyes deadpan on me. “They’ll never forgive you.”
“Well that's a chance I’ll take,” I slam the door on him as he grunts and starts to take out his phone. I’ll handle his ass another time. There’s people that deserve a better memory.
Chapter 33
Lottie
Mychestisheavywith guilt. I never meant for things to go this far. I tried to bite my tongue for the sake of Finn. He never listened to what Finn liked. He pushed all his ideals and interests on him like he did Joshua.
I never wanted this for Finn. I didn’t want him to make this hard choice of making his grandfather leave. My heart shatters in pieces thinking about it. His sad eyes looked to me for comfort. I don’t want this to ruin his holiday. I gather him in my arms, holding him tightly, wanting to take all the pain and bad memories.
My heart raced when Keola dragged my father out the door. The way he stood up to him, trying to not instigate, his protectiveness showed its teeth.
For the first time, I felt wanted and safe.
Something primal in him, wanting to protect my nephew and me.
I think my mind is realizing something that he has said for a long while.
Keola ismine.
And in turn, I’m his. He’s not going anywhere. And now for damn sure, I wasn’t letting go.
Lilly bumps my shoulder in the kitchen as we cleaned up the dinner. It’s getting dark and traditionally we try to go through the neighborhoods to see the lights and drink hot chocolate. Keola stuck around, talking with Finn. Finn shows him the book that he got him. I’m awestruck at the image that is now ingrained in my head.
“You got that look,” Lilly sings.
“What look,” I brush it off.
“The look of happiness. I see the way you look at him,” Lilly says smugly. I look back at Keola, the softness and comfort he radiates eases me. Brayden smirks back at me, his eyebrows wiggling at me.
“He definitely makes me happy,” I finally admit.
